Photo property of Carolina Panthers, Kent Smith

Charlotte, NC – The National Football League–every young player of the game dreams of making it there one day. Sunday nights, shining lights and the chance to play on the world’s biggest stage–The Super Bowl.

For one Patuxent High School graduate, that dream has become reality.

Robert McClain has gone from Patuxent Panther to Carolina Panther and is on his way to Super Bowl 50 Sunday, Feb. 7.

McClain graduated from Patuxent High School in 2006, where he played football for three years, from his move to Lusby from Colorado at the start of his sophomore year, through senior year.

“Moving from Colorado was a fresh start for me,” McClain recalled. “Coach Crounse welcomed me as a part of the Patuxent family from day one.”

Steve Crounse, coach of the Patuxent football team, has fond memories of watching McClain grow as a player. “Even as a sophomore, he was always extremely self-motivated,” Crounse stated. “Most kids dream of the NFL, but there’s probably about a two-percent chance it’ll happen. Rob emulated players he saw. I never had to get on him to work hard. He’d be out on the field by himself, he’d weight-train by himself. He was focused on his goal. Opportunities like this don’t come easy, but he had the drive and the heart.”

After graduating from Patuxent, McClain went on to play football for University of Connecticut and was picked up by the Carolina Panthers in the 2010 NFL Draft. The years that followed held several ups and downs for McClain, signing with and being released by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots before making it back to Carolina in December of 2015.

“It wasn’t an easy transition,” McClain admits. “Being physically ready, learning even more about the game. In the NFL, everybody’s good. The game is faster, more precise and more detailed. It’s a much bigger stage. Back then, if I knew as much as I know now, I would’ve put even more focus in preparing myself. I learn more every year.”

Despite the whirlwind of the last few years, McClain hasn’t forgotten where he came from or the people who influenced him along the way.

McClain stated, “I love the game, it’s been my life since fourth grade, and I love coming back to Patuxent. I’ll sit in on classes, I work out with the team, I give them tips and hints on what they can do to improve their game. To come home and see how happy they are, the smiles on their faces–it’s awesome. I’m always ready to give my time.”

Crounse recognizes the appreciation the Patuxent family has for McClain, and vice versa. “He’ll jump up on the white board with me and go over plays, he talks to the team. He enjoys being with us and we enjoy having him here. He’s there for these kids and they know that.”

McClain has never let the relationship with his high school coach diminish. “Coach texts me before my games to let me know he’s watching and he’s proud of me,” he said. “I’m always giving him a call after games or in my down time to talk. He’s supported me for my entire career.”

Crounse appreciates the relationship they’ve maintained. “I’ll text him telling him to keep his head up and stay focused, that I love him and I’m proud of him. He’ll call and sometimes it’s small talk, sometimes it’s about the game. It’s exciting, I feel like a kid when we talk about his game plans and his career, it’s like I’m getting the inside scoop. It’s humbling for me, knowing that he still takes the time to call. He’s come a long way and I’m blessed to have been a part of it,” Crounse stated.

A long way, indeed–from Friday night lights to Super Bowl 50. The Carolina Panthers secured their place in the Super Bowl on Sunday, January 24, after defeating the Arizona Cardinals, 49-15. McClain is working hard to prepare. “I’m studying film, avoiding distractions. It’s a bigger stage but I’m treating it like every other game. I’m just staying as focused as I can.”

Crounse recalls, “He called me Monday after the [Arizona] game and you could just hear the sheer joy in his voice. For him to have gone through the ultimate let downs to getting the ultimate prize… it’s incredible.”

McClain keeps Southern Maryland in his heart and mind as he goes into the biggest game of his career. When asked if there was anything he wanted to say to his fans here, he simply stated, “Thank you all for your love, for watching me, for supporting me all these years. I’m going to try my best to bring a ring back for you.”

Contact Barbara Muller at b.muller@thebaynet.com

Robert McClain, Patuxent High School Highlights:

Video source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOcGQgh1N_o